But the Gagliardi group is probably seeing the Stars' financials and the losses they would have to absorb in the short term in order to get the team back on track and balking at the asking price. The NHL would like to believe the Stars are worth in the neighborhood of $300 million, but no buyer is going to pay anywhere near that in this economic climate.

When Gallacher was in the running for the team, sources told THN.com the final price would have been about $225 million and that price tag continues to be moving downward, perhaps as low as south of $200 million. The NHL has a vested interest in keeping franchise values high, which is why the initial asking price of the Stars was more than $300 million, but there is a built-in problem with that kind of thinking.